Types of Crisps Sold in UK Supermarkets

UK supermarkets sell everything from classic potato crisps to baked, popped, and ingredient-led snacks made from corn, rice, vegetables, legumes, and seaweed—plus dozens of flavour styles and textures.

Crisps in the UK aren’t just “one snack.” Walk into Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, or Waitrose and you’ll see crisp types grouped by how they’re cooked, what they’re made from, how crunchy they are, and what they’re flavoured with. This guide is a content hub that maps the main crisp types you’ll find on shelves, and points you to specific buyer guides when you’re ready to choose.

Quick guide to crisp types (what you’ll see on the shelf)

• Potato crisps: traditional thin-cut, ridged/crinkle, thick-cut, and “hand-cooked” styles
• By cooking method: fried, baked, and popped
• By base ingredient: corn crisps, tortilla chips, rice crisps, vegetable crisps, lentil crisps, chickpea crisps, seaweed snacks
• By texture: extra crunchy / kettle-style / ridged
• By flavour: Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail, Pickled Onion (and many more)

1) Traditional potato crisps (the core UK crisp category)

When most UK shoppers say “crisps,” they usually mean potato crisps. These cover everything from ultra-thin everyday packs to thicker, more rustic styles.

Standard thin-cut potato crisps

These are the classic, thin slices—often the most widely stocked and usually the most affordable. If you’re mainly choosing by familiarity and everyday snacking, you’ll typically be looking at Best Fried Crisps in the UK because most traditional thin-cut crisps are fried.

Ridged / crinkle-cut crisps

Ridged crisps have deeper grooves, which hold seasoning better and usually feel crunchier per bite. If you’re specifically chasing a louder bite and firmer texture, you’ll probably prefer options covered in Best Crunchy Crisps in the UK.

“Hand-cooked” and kettle-style crisps

These tend to be thicker, often cooked in smaller batches, and aimed at a premium crunch. They can feel more “rustic” and often come in bolder flavours and limited editions—another reason many shoppers end up comparing picks via Best Crunchy Crisps in the UK.

Thick-cut potato crisps

Thick-cut crisps sit between standard and kettle-style in feel. They’re often sturdier for dipping and can hold up well next to sandwiches or party spreads.

2) Crisps by cooking method

UK supermarkets often group crisps by how they’re cooked because cooking method changes texture, oil/fat feel, and overall lightness.

Fried crisps

Frying is the traditional method and still the most common. Fried crisps usually deliver the richest flavour and the most classic “crisp” bite. For the best options in this category, go to Best Fried Crisps in the UK.

Baked crisps

Baked crisps are designed to be lighter while still giving a satisfying crunch. The texture is often drier and slightly more “biscuity” than fried. If you prefer a lighter snack style, see Best Baked Crisps in the UK.

Popped crisps

Popped crisps are made by expanding or “popping” ingredients using heat/pressure, which often creates an airy, light crunch. They’re popular with people who want a less oily mouthfeel. If that’s your preference, start with Best Popped Crisps in the UK.

3) Crisps by base ingredient (what they’re made from)

Ingredient-led crisps have exploded in the UK because they offer different textures, flavours, and dietary options. Supermarkets stock these across free-from aisles, world food sections, and mainstream snack aisles.

Corn crisps

Corn crisps are usually crunchy, slightly sweet, and great at carrying strong seasoning. You’ll find classic corn-based snacks, curls, and crunchy shapes in this group. If you want the strongest options, browse Best Corn Crisps in the UK.

Tortilla chips

Tortilla chips are typically made from corn masa, formed into triangles (or strips), and designed for dipping—salsa, guacamole, nacho cheese, and party platters. For the best supermarket picks, see Best Tortilla Chips in the UK.

Rice crisps

Rice crisps can range from airy rice cakes and rice-based popped bites to seasoned rice crackers. They tend to feel lighter and can be a great alternative when you want something crisp without a heavy potato profile. For top choices, head to Best Rice Crisps in the UK.

Vegetable crisps

Vegetable crisps can include sweet potato, beetroot, parsnip, carrot, and mixed vegetable packs. They’re often slightly sweeter, with a different crunch and colour appeal that makes them popular for sharing boards. If you’re shopping in this category, use Best Vegetable Crisps in the UK.

Lentil crisps

Lentil crisps usually have a light, snappy bite and can come in waves, sticks, or chip-like shapes. They’re common in “better-for-you” snack ranges and often carry seasoning really well. For best picks, see Best Lentil Crisps in the UK.

Chickpea crisps

Chickpea crisps often feel slightly nuttier and can be very satisfying when you want a crisp that feels a bit more “substantial.” Supermarkets stock them in everything from sea-salt styles to spicy and tangy flavours. Start with Best Chickpea Crisps in the UK.

Seaweed crisps and seaweed snacks

Seaweed crisps are usually thin, salty, and very moreish, often found in world food aisles or snack sections that feature East Asian brands. Texture can be crisp-to-lightly-chewy depending on style. For best options, visit Best Seaweed Crisps in the UK.

4) Crisps by texture (especially “extra crunchy”)

Texture matters more than most people realise. Some crisps are thin and delicate, while others are built to be loud, sturdy, and dip-friendly.

If you always choose ridged, kettle-style, thick-cut, or heavily textured crisps, you’ll likely enjoy the shortlist in Best Crunchy Crisps in the UK.

5) Crisps by flavour style (the most common UK favourites)

Flavours are where UK supermarkets really compete. Many crisp types share the same flavour families, so it helps to think of flavour as its own category.

Cheese & Onion crisps

One of the UK’s best-loved flavours—creamy, savoury, and often slightly sweet. For top supermarket picks, see Best Cheese & Onion Crisps in the UK.

Salt & Vinegar crisps

Sharp, tangy, and sometimes eye-wateringly strong depending on brand. If you want the best versions (from balanced to punchy), go to Best Salt & Vinegar Crisps in the UK.

Prawn Cocktail crisps

A classic UK flavour with a sweet-and-tangy profile that’s hard to replace. For best options, browse Best Prawn Cocktail Crisps in the UK.

Pickled Onion crisps

Strong, tangy, and a little bit aggressive—in the best way if you love bold snacks. For the best supermarket picks, see Best Pickled Onion Crisps in the UK.

How to use this hub (fast)

• If you’re choosing by cooking method, start with fried, baked, or popped.
• If you’re choosing by ingredient, go to corn, tortilla chips, rice, vegetable, lentil, chickpea, or seaweed.
• Also, if you’re choosing by texture, use crunchy crisps.
• If you’re choosing by flavour, jump straight to Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail, or Pickled Onion.

FAQ: Quick questions UK shoppers ask

Are tortilla chips the same as crisps in the UK?

In everyday UK shopping language, tortilla chips are usually treated as part of the wider crisp/snack aisle, even though they’re a corn-based chip style. If you’re comparing supermarket options for dipping, Best Tortilla Chips in the UK is the most relevant guide.

Which crisp types are usually the crunchiest?

Ridged/crinkle-cut, kettle-style, and thick-cut crisps are typically crunchier than thin-cut. If crunch is your main goal, use Best Crunchy Crisps in the UK as your shortcut.

Which crisp types feel lightest?

Popped crisps and many rice-based snacks tend to feel lighter. If you want that style, compare popped crisps and rice crisps.

If you want, I can also add a short “Where to find them in supermarkets” section (main snack aisle vs free-from vs world foods) and a tight glossary of label terms (hand-cooked, baked, popped, ridge-cut, etc.), still keeping it clean and hub-focused.